WNYC, KPCC, and WAMU Acquire Gothamist Assets

Investment Furthers Leading Public Radio Stations’ Commitment to Local Journalism

February 23, 2018 - Leaders in public media—WNYC (New York), KPCC (Southern California), and WAMU (Washington, D.C.)—today announced they have joined together to acquire key assets of Gothamist and its associated sites: LAist and DCist. The acquisition includes the story archives, internet domains, and social media assets from Gothamist and DNAinfo. This deal is part of public radio’s commitment to local journalism and honors the legacy and shared mission of Gothamist, as well as DNAinfo, the trusted neighborhood news service founded by Joe Ricketts.

Each public media organization involved in the investment is a leading source of enterprise journalism and local reporting in their respective communities. The assets acquired will enable the stations to expand their digital footprint and support their shared missions to reflect and serve their listeners and the public.

The acquisition is being funded in large part through generous philanthropic donations from two anonymous donors, who are deeply committed to supporting local journalism initiatives and the partners.

“For more than a decade, Gothamist served as a source of trusted local news,” said Laura Walker, President and CEO, New York Public Radio. “That resonates with us at WNYC, where we are committed to telling stories rooted in New York and that matter to New Yorkers. As we’ve seen a decline in local journalism in even the largest metropolitan areas across the country, even at a time when it’s so vital, we remain committed to strong, independent reporting that fills the void.”

“As one of the most trusted and reliable news sources serving Washington, D.C., WAMU connects Washingtonians with each other and the world,” said JJ Yore, General Manager, WAMU. “The addition of DCist expands the breadth of our local content, and increases our digital presence to better serve our community.”

“We are delighted to be able to merge LAist’s assets into Southern California Public Radio’s public service newsroom,” said Bill Davis, President, Southern California Public Radio. “It will strengthen our ability to provide Angelenos with high quality journalism on a variety of platforms. I also want to recognize and salute Laura Walker and Joe Ricketts for their leadership and generosity in putting this deal together. I’m proud that SCPR could be part of this innovative effort.”

“The most important thing for me was to make sure the assets went to a news organization that would honor our commitment to neighborhood storytelling,” said Joe Ricketts, the former owner of Gothamist and DNAinfo. “I can’t think of a better home for these sites and their archives than WNYC and public radio stations KPCC and WAMU.”

The acquisition was a result of a competitive process and Joe Ricketts was advised on the transaction by Pursuit Advisory.

For more information regarding the acquisition of LAist’s assets by Southern California Public Radio, please contact Alex Schaffert at aschaffert@scpr.org.

About WNYC / New York Public Radio

With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, WNYC is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC is a leading member station of NPR and also broadcasts programs from the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced local programs that champion the stories and spirit of New York City and the surrounding region. From its state-of-the-art studios, WNYC is reshaping audio for a new generation of listeners, producing some of the most-loved nationally-syndicated public radio programs including Radiolab, On the Media, The Takeaway and Snap Judgment. WNYC broadcasts on 93.9 FM and AM 820 to listeners in New York and the tri-state area, and is available to audiences everywhere at WNYC.org, the WNYC app and through major digital radio services, all made possible through the generous support of our members, donors and sponsors.

About KPCC / Southern California Public Radio

Southern California Public Radio (SCPR) is a member-supported public radio network that operates 89.3 KPCC-FM in Los Angeles and Orange County, 89.1 KUOR-FM in the Inland Empire, 90.3 KVLA in the Coachella Valley, 89.9 FM in Santa Barbara, and 89.5 KJAI Ojai in Ventura County. Reaching more than 700,000 listeners every week, SCPR is the most listened-to public radio news service of any kind in Southern California. SCPR serves the diverse communities of Southern California with award winning local news coverage as well as the most National Public Radio (NPR) content available anywhere in the region. SCPR's flagship station, KPCC, has garnered more than 450 journalistic honors since 1999, more than all of the other radio stations in Los Angeles combined. SCPR features signature public radio programs from APM, the BBC and PRI. Listeners around the globe can access news, join blogs, download podcasts, as well as hear a live web stream at www.kpcc.org. KPCC In Person, SCPR’s events and engagement platform, regularly convenes forum programs and live events throughout the region.

About WAMU

WAMU 88.5 is the leading public radio station for NPR news and information in the greater Washington D.C. area. WAMU is member-supported, professionally-staffed, and licensed to American University. Since 1961, WAMU 88.5 has provided programming to an audience of listeners that now totals almost one million on-air, online, and on demand. Deeply committed to the D.C. metro area, WAMU 88.5 produces regular and special programming that reflects the unique environment of our region. Learn more about WAMU, listen to a live stream, download a podcast or find us on social media by going to www.wamu.org.